Wellsite Emergency First Responder Training March 2

A free training program to prepare first responders and community leaders for emergency and public safety incidents at natural gas wells is scheduled for Wednesday, March 2, at the Kettle Creek Hose Company firehall in Cross Fork from 6-10 pm. Registrations are being taken until Feb. 15. Similar training sessions that have been held in other area communities have attracted more than 100 emergency responders and public officials.

Pennsylvania State Fire Academy is bringing the program to the area. The natural gas industry is supporting the initiative, which features new components targeted specifically at public safety issues associated with shale gas production. It will cover a host of topics, from the basics of well construction and production, to what to expect upon arriving at a well site and how to coordinate with on-site industry personnel. The training will give responders the tools needed to effectively react to the broad range of scenarios at a gas well.

More information is available from Barry Fritzinger of Kettle Creek Hose Company at 570-923-6029 (days), 570-923-0462 (evenings) or bfritzin@yahoo.com.